CARMEL – Putnam County Sheriff Brian Hess will be filing an ethics complaint against County Legislator Erin Lee Crowley alleging that the Mahopac lawmaker threatened to enlist senior White House official Dan Scavino to pressure Hess into reinstating Deputy Kevin Osika.
Crowley is married to Osika, who was arrested by State Police following a domestic dispute and charged with assault with intent to cause physical injury and aggravated harassment.
Last month the case concluded with the decision sealed by Southeast Town Court Justice Louis Gasparini.
Osika still faces a departmental disciplinary hearing that will determine whether he returns to active duty.
In an interview Thursday with Mid-Hudson News, the sheriff said he forwarded a letter to members of the county legislature earlier this week detailing alleged efforts by Crowley to delay his department’s procurement requests before the lawmakers.
Hess said that the sheriff’s office will “not allow political pressure, personal influence or the withholding of necessary resources to dictate whether a deputy remains fit to serve. Such a decision must rest on the facts, the applicable standards, and a fair disciplinary process. The integrity of this office and the safety of Putnam County’s residents are not bargaining chips.”
The sheriff said the “safety of the residents of Putnam County will not be compromised in any way, shape or form.”
Crowley, who was reelected to her second term on the nine-member governing body in 2025, serves as deputy district director for Congressman Mike Lawler.
A White House official told The Hudson Valley Digger that Scavino was never contacted by Crowley and that he had no involvement in this situation. Crowley did not respond to request for comment.
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